💬 Amber Ferrano: “Demri was interested in a lot of things. Being in the hospital a lot she liked to read and watch a channel called AMC that was black and white movies from 40’s to 60’s. Her dream job was to be a soap opera actress and to play twins (evil and good) to be able to show her range. I have to point out she never acted on her friends. No fake crying to get what she wanted.

Alison Dyer photography

I think she was one of the ones wanting to get her GED. I had a library card and she was there. She loved the idea of getting a degree. Her dream job was to be an actress or continue modeling as an adult woman. Due to her size she’d get called for kid ADs. That is why she did some nudes which was still kinda taboo back then. None of her friends judged her.

Unknown photographer

She was in the movie “Singles” but Cameron cut her parts because she looked loaded or greyish. Can’t remember but she was really hurt. They cut Demri’s scene getting a boob job with Bridget Fonda.

Singles, 1992; dir. Cameron Crowe

She was just happy, kind and thoughtful. She wanted to marry a man she loved, have kids, and live on a block with all her friends so we could watch each other’s kids, garden together and borrow sugar. She picked out the block and everything and everyone seemed to love that idea. I’m sure that block included her mom and her brothers, sister, cousin, dad, grandparents, etc. Because she loved her family dearly and her friends like family. Demri always wanted to come garden or have her own place to garden. Layne was going to help her get a place to do that before she died.

Seattle, Lake Washington, Magnuson Park, 1989

Demri did not hold grudges ‘cause she got that humans aren’t perfect. Demri had a huge heart, a huge conscience and a soul. If she hurt you in any way, I promise you, she did feel bad and was thinking of a way to make it up to you. She knew she wasn’t perfect. She thought once she made it big as an actress she would make everything right. She would have done anything for a friend or a family member or a stranger even if it was bad for her.

Krista Kay photography, Seattle, 1990

Demri may have had to do some bad things because of addiction but we all have done things here and there but it’s certainly not who we are. She was a bit of a problem child but when things happen I always thought she was making me grow in bursting kinds of ways. Demri was in the hospital at least 13 times. I was there for months on end so there wasn’t a lot of time out of the hospital that she could get in trouble. She was an addict for many of the years I knew her but I didn’t know her as that or see her as that as we did do pretty normal things.

Cliff Feulner photography [1], shared by Krista Kay [2] and Stormy Lee Rollins [3]

The reason I don’t claim to be her best friend is because she was a best friend to everyone. You could pour your heart out to her and she would not only remember and pick up where you last left off but between those times she gave it a lot of thought. It wasn’t in one ear and out the other. She cared for people deeply. I’m sure Demri didn’t go more than 1-2 days without checking in with her mom, family member or a close friend. She always had a happy tone and she always ended her call with “I love you”.

Shared by Fabiola Gonzalez

She appreciated people. If she took she gave back with friendship and love. If she had no money to pay you for the money she borrowed she’d get you into a show, take you backstage, bring you something from backstage or write a note about how much she loved and appreciated you. She always gave a Thank You note, picture, poem or a kiss print and always gave a hug. If you were mean to her it rolled right off her back.

Amber with Demri outside the hospital, Las Vegas, 1993

I loved Demri flaws and all, and I was there for good and bad. She could always reach me and did, and I moved around a lot. I was her cheerleader and saw all her potential just like I do in others. I promise you we fought, she wasn’t perfect but I look back and laugh because it was like fighting with a kitten but she was as passionate as a lioness”.